Lusaka, Zambia: Health Minister Sylvia Masebo addressed a meeting with the Members of Parliament on Reproductive Health in Lusaka, Zambia. The meeting was hosted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The meeting aimed to improve and foster the development of the Nation’s healthcare system.
During the meeting, the Health Minister of Zambia, Sylvia Masebo, emphasised the need for financing for Sexual Reproductive Health.
She explained President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration has placed a premium focus on health care. It has resolved to improve the quality of health care services to foster national wide social and economic development.
She said that sexual and reproductive health is paramount to the government, as evidenced by the priority it has been given in the 8th National Development Plan.
She said that the government wants to accelerate the progress towards improving Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health and Nutrition indicators. She ensured that her ministry has developed an investment case for 2022-2024, which will jump-start the various indicators falling way behind the 2030 sustainable targets.
She further stressed the need for financing and noted that implementing the investment case requires resources to the tune of 176,156,150 Dollars.
Minister Masebo has further urged Members of Parliament to take an interest in productive health programming. She also urged them to help educate communities on the importance of accessing reproductive health services.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services Chairperson Joseph Munsange was also present at the meeting.
During the meeting, he highlighted the importance of Sexual Reproductive Health and said that the committee keenly monitors matters of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights.
He said that the passion that Members of Parliament have towards Sexual Reproductive Health matters at the National Assembly of Zambia is evident through its active Parliamentary Caucus on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Life Skills and Health Education (LSHE) that was established in 2022.